Summit's New Frozen Yogurt Eatery Hosts Grand Opening Today

A new frozen yogurt joint just moved into Summit, bringing 16 flavors and more than 60 toppings with it.

The grand opening for 16 Handles, a franchise that originated in New York City in 2008 and opened in Summit on Feb. 11, will be held today, Feb. 16 from 11:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. at the 88 Summit Ave. location.

“Word of mouth has spread and we’re getting a lot of school kids coming in,” said Farrah Bhalloo, the 23-year-old Franchise manager. “So hopefully, after our grand opening, more people will know about us.”

The grand opening will feature a free 5 oz. cup of frozen yogurt/toppings from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., a balloon twister at 1 p.m., face painting at 3 p.m., as well as raffles and prizes all throughout the day, Bhalloo said. Plus, all customers will receive 16 percent off their purchase from 12:30 p.m. to 11 p.m.

A spinning wheel will also be placed outside 16 Handles and “customers can spin and get a $1 off coupon or buy one, get one free; little things like that,” Bhalloo said. “They can spin before they come inside.”

One lucky customer who enters the big raffle will win free frozen yogurt for a whole year. “We’re trying to make it a big deal,” Bhalloo said.

Bhalloo said she owns this franchise with her father, Shabbir, a former accountant who now invests in franchises, and her sisters, Rishma, 25 and Sabrina, 21. The three sisters, who live in Warren with Shabbir, first learned about 16 Handles while attending separate universities in New York City.

“We went to school in New York City and the first location opened there. We went there and we loved it so my dad, being a businessman, checked into a franchise and it was something I definitely wanted to manage,” Bhalloo said. “My older sister, Rishma, manages our other franchise called Panchero’s, a Mexican Grill in Bedminster. She’s helping me manage 16 Handles.”

After the Grand Opening tomorrow, customers can make their own frozen yogurt concoction for 49 cents per ounce.

The 60 toppings range from cheesecake bits and gummy bears to chocolate pretzels and cake crumbs.

Bhalloo said flavors will change from time to time. Right now, flavors at the Summit location include:

• Birthday Cake
• Chocolate Love Affair
• Cinnamon Bun
• Coffee Break
• Cookies And Cream
• Eurotart
• Graham Cracker
• Mango Tart
• Mocha Java Chip
• NSA Strawberry Fields
• Peanut Butter Confession
• Pistachio
• Pomegranate Raspberry Sorbet
• Red Velvet Cake
• Salted Caramel
• Vanilla Sky

In addition to frozen yogurt, customers can also order froyo sandwiches and customizable frozen yogurt cakes.

For more information about 16 Handles, visit www.16handles.com, call (908) 522-0202 or email summit@16handles.com.

Location: 88 Summit Ave. Summit, NJ 07901

Hours: Mon. – Thurs., 11:30 a.m. – 10 p.m.; Fri. – Sat., 11:30 a.m. – 11 p.m.; Sun., 11:30 a.m. – 10 p.m.